Birding on the Bruce
Birds and Birdwatching on the Bruce Peninsula
The Bruce Peninsula is a great place to watch birds.You can see Bald Eagles soar majestically along the cliffs, or see hummingbirds flitter their way from flower to flower. The Bruce Peninsula is located on a major northern migration route, so many species of birds can be found here. Also, birds such as the Bald Eagle have their wintering grounds here.
Most birds do not like to fly over water, thus they will follow the land up the Niagara Escarpment to Tobermory, then follow the islands through Manitoulin Island.. and beyond. Most birds also travel at night, so it is a perfect opportunity during the day to spot them resting.
The highest concentration of nesting birds can be found in the Bruce Peninsula in May and June each year. These include the Blackthroated, Parula,Yellow-rumped, and the Green warblers. They find their summer homes in the wooded areas along Lake Huron.
TOP BIRDING EXPERIENCES
- Watch Hawks migrate over Tobermory in spring
- View Red-knecked Grebes in Dyer's Bay in April
- Visit Isaac Lake Wetland - see Virginia Rails
- Visit The Annual Huron Fringefest Birding Festival in May
Where can we see some cool birds?
In the spring (May) visit the Parks Canada Lookout Tower where you can see migrating raptors. The Lake Huron and Georgian Bay coastlines give birders and photographers fantastic opportunities to discover nature.
Each spring, MacGregor Point Provincial Park hosts the annual Huron Fringe Birding Festival. Join them for eight days of guided hikes, bird identification workshops, and nature photography. It is an incredible celebration of biodiversity, nature, and learning!
Visit Oliphant and the Fishing Islands to view a plethora of birds that visit this area each year.
Stokes Bay is also one of the area's best spots to find migrating shorebirds and ducks.
Visit Dyer's Bay to Cabot Head where you can see tons of Red-necked Grebes in the spring.
Watch along the pastures in the area for Sandhill cranes.
Birding Info
PIPING PLOVERS in Sauble Beach
Piping Plovers are an endangered species of shorebirds that returned to Sauble Beach on Lake Huron after a 30-year absence. Plover Lovers are volunteer monitors who, by serving as citizen scientists on the beach, help ensure the birds’ recovery in our area through outreach and education.
Visit The Piping Plover Lovers Page
The Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory is a non-profit, member-based charitable organization with a mission to promote and foster the study, appreciation, and conservation of birds and their habitats in the Bruce Peninsula region of Ontario, Canada.